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7 Key Elements for a Well-functioning Bedroom
Getting these essential details right will ensure your bedroom is user-friendly and enjoyable to spend time in
From somewhere to put a glass of water and a book to pleasing lighting and a place to sit that isn’t the bed, there are some things that every bedroom should have to function beautifully.
Follow our guide to get the basic design details right and comfort will follow.
More in this series: 7 Key Elements for a Relaxing Living Room l 8 Key Elements for a Calming, Indulgent Bathroom
Follow our guide to get the basic design details right and comfort will follow.
More in this series: 7 Key Elements for a Relaxing Living Room l 8 Key Elements for a Calming, Indulgent Bathroom
2. Enough storage
Bedrooms are often tight on space, especially if two of you are storing clothes. This makes it all the more important to get storage right, so the room doesn’t feel cramped.
The best way to maximise what you have, and make use of awkward nooks or ceiling height, is with built-in cabinetry, like this discreet alcove wardrobe in a room by Golden Design. Here, the joinery is painted to almost blend in with the walls, so it becomes architectural rather than a standalone feature with a strong visual impact.
Storage can also be packed in stealthily: consider chests of drawers used as bedside tables, high shelves (perhaps above beds and doors) for books, and various under-bed solutions. Use shelves and surfaces for display, too – framed photos, objets d’art and fresh flowers can all add sensory pleasure.
Bedrooms are often tight on space, especially if two of you are storing clothes. This makes it all the more important to get storage right, so the room doesn’t feel cramped.
The best way to maximise what you have, and make use of awkward nooks or ceiling height, is with built-in cabinetry, like this discreet alcove wardrobe in a room by Golden Design. Here, the joinery is painted to almost blend in with the walls, so it becomes architectural rather than a standalone feature with a strong visual impact.
Storage can also be packed in stealthily: consider chests of drawers used as bedside tables, high shelves (perhaps above beds and doors) for books, and various under-bed solutions. Use shelves and surfaces for display, too – framed photos, objets d’art and fresh flowers can all add sensory pleasure.
3. A full-length mirror
Unless you have a separate dressing area or tall mirrors elsewhere in the house that you’re happy to check your outfits in, a full-length mirror is essential in the bedroom.
It will serve more than a practical purpose, too, as seen in this petite attic bedroom by Benchmark Lofts. Here, an oversized, floor-standing design gives the impression of a bigger room.
Even if you don’t need or want a mirror this large in your bedroom, smaller reflective surfaces will still boost brightness and visually expand the space.
Find an interior designer in your area on Houzz.
Unless you have a separate dressing area or tall mirrors elsewhere in the house that you’re happy to check your outfits in, a full-length mirror is essential in the bedroom.
It will serve more than a practical purpose, too, as seen in this petite attic bedroom by Benchmark Lofts. Here, an oversized, floor-standing design gives the impression of a bigger room.
Even if you don’t need or want a mirror this large in your bedroom, smaller reflective surfaces will still boost brightness and visually expand the space.
Find an interior designer in your area on Houzz.
4. Somewhere to sit (other than the bed)
A bedroom chair is not vital, but it’s something you might notice the lack of if you don’t have one. They provide a good extra surface for clothes waiting to be put away and a handy spot for pulling on your socks. It can also provide a quiet haven for when time out is required.
If you have space, the ideal option for bedroom seating is nearly always an armchair. For smaller rooms, there are plenty of compact designs, especially if you go vintage. Even an attractive dining chair can work well.
A bedroom chair is not vital, but it’s something you might notice the lack of if you don’t have one. They provide a good extra surface for clothes waiting to be put away and a handy spot for pulling on your socks. It can also provide a quiet haven for when time out is required.
If you have space, the ideal option for bedroom seating is nearly always an armchair. For smaller rooms, there are plenty of compact designs, especially if you go vintage. Even an attractive dining chair can work well.
If you’re still pushed, you could look at adding a bench or ottoman at the end of the bed; if it’s one with storage, you’ll get a double whammy.
5. Surfaces next to the bed
You’ll need space next to the bed for a glass of water, maybe a pair of specs and a book.
Ideally this will be on bedside tables or small cupboards. It’s nice also to have room to add a little spray of flowers or something else decorative or scented.
No such spatial luxury? There are assorted options for bijou bedrooms. In this example, designed by Brooke Copp-Barton Interiors, petite triangular shelves are tucked into the corners between the bed and wardrobes. A shelf above – or as part of – the headboard can also work (ensure you clear head-height). Niches are another solution we’ve seen done beautifully on Houzz.
Again, wall-mounted lights will free up valuable surface area. If you’ve already decorated and don’t have wired-in lights, seek out wall-mounted plug-in designs.
You’ll need space next to the bed for a glass of water, maybe a pair of specs and a book.
Ideally this will be on bedside tables or small cupboards. It’s nice also to have room to add a little spray of flowers or something else decorative or scented.
No such spatial luxury? There are assorted options for bijou bedrooms. In this example, designed by Brooke Copp-Barton Interiors, petite triangular shelves are tucked into the corners between the bed and wardrobes. A shelf above – or as part of – the headboard can also work (ensure you clear head-height). Niches are another solution we’ve seen done beautifully on Houzz.
Again, wall-mounted lights will free up valuable surface area. If you’ve already decorated and don’t have wired-in lights, seek out wall-mounted plug-in designs.
6. Sufficient lighting
As a minimum in a bedroom, for comfort and practicality, there should be bedside lighting with switches you can access from the bed, and some sort of overhead illumination with a switch at the door.
Adjustable lighting is a good idea. If you don’t already have dimmers, it’s generally quite straightforward to swap them in.
As mentioned earlier, there may not be enough room on your bedside surface for a lamp. Wall lights or small pendants, as seen in this VMDSTUDIO-designed room, can solve the problem, especially if you haven’t already decorated (though, again, you can source plug-in versions for both).
A lamp in another corner of the room will add balance and cosiness.
While thinking about electrics, and especially if you’re doing a full redecoration, ensure you have sufficient sockets next to the bed and elsewhere in the room for hairdryers, radios, lamps and so on.
As a minimum in a bedroom, for comfort and practicality, there should be bedside lighting with switches you can access from the bed, and some sort of overhead illumination with a switch at the door.
Adjustable lighting is a good idea. If you don’t already have dimmers, it’s generally quite straightforward to swap them in.
As mentioned earlier, there may not be enough room on your bedside surface for a lamp. Wall lights or small pendants, as seen in this VMDSTUDIO-designed room, can solve the problem, especially if you haven’t already decorated (though, again, you can source plug-in versions for both).
A lamp in another corner of the room will add balance and cosiness.
While thinking about electrics, and especially if you’re doing a full redecoration, ensure you have sufficient sockets next to the bed and elsewhere in the room for hairdryers, radios, lamps and so on.
7. A relaxing palette
The power of the perfect colour palette is not to be underestimated. Do you lean more towards dark and cocooning or airy and pale? Not sure? Try browsing through bedroom images on Houzz and saving your favourites to an ideabook. Review your choices and you should see a pattern emerging.
In this Sims Hilditch-designed bedroom, the unusual green and the shades paired with it show just what you can achieve with creative professional insight. Some interior designers offer standalone colour consultations – it’s worth asking.
If you rent or don’t want to commit to a full redecoration, use throws, cushions and accessories to alter the feel of the room.
Tell us…
What’s a favourite feature in your own bedroom – and what do you think you’re lacking? Let us know in the Comments.
The power of the perfect colour palette is not to be underestimated. Do you lean more towards dark and cocooning or airy and pale? Not sure? Try browsing through bedroom images on Houzz and saving your favourites to an ideabook. Review your choices and you should see a pattern emerging.
In this Sims Hilditch-designed bedroom, the unusual green and the shades paired with it show just what you can achieve with creative professional insight. Some interior designers offer standalone colour consultations – it’s worth asking.
If you rent or don’t want to commit to a full redecoration, use throws, cushions and accessories to alter the feel of the room.
Tell us…
What’s a favourite feature in your own bedroom – and what do you think you’re lacking? Let us know in the Comments.
What should you consider when choosing the best bed? Start with size and comfort, but also factor in its height and the right headboard.
With size, the more space you have when lying down, the better you’re likely to sleep, so go for the biggest bed you can comfortably get into your room. For example, this serene loft space designed by Tanya Bentley prioritises the bed and scales back furniture around it to compensate – note the slimline chest of drawers. Lighting has also been hung or wall-mounted to free up space elsewhere. Ensure you leave enough room to walk around the bed comfortably.
A high or low bed will partly come down to personal preference, but the size of your room and ceiling height may also be factors. If your designer uses software such as Houzz Pro, they will be able to show how different options will look, so you can see the effect.
Next, focus on the best mattress you can afford – and, if possible, test a few to pick a suitable level of firmness.
More: The Secret to Choosing a Good Mattress